John 8:23-38

23Jesus answered, ‘You belong to the things down here in the world. But I have come from above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world.

24I told you that when you die, God will not have forgiven you. You must believe that “I am who I am.” If not, you will die and God will certainly not have forgiven you.’

25Then the Jewish leaders asked Jesus, ‘So, who are you?’ He answered, ‘I have told you who I am from the beginning.

26I have many things I could say about you. I could show that you have done many wrong things. But the one who sent me speaks to me. I tell people only what I have heard him say to me. What he says is true.’

27They did not understand that he was speaking to them about his Father.

28So Jesus said to them, ‘You will lift up the Son of Man on a cross. Then you will know that “I am who I am”. And you will know that I do nothing by myself. I say only what the Father has taught me to say.

29He who sent me is with me. I always do the things that make him happy. So he has never gone away and left me alone.’

30Many people who heard Jesus say these things believed in him.

31Then Jesus said to the Jews who now believed him, ‘Continue to obey the words that I have spoken to you. If you do that, you are really my disciples.

32Then you will know what is true. And that will make you free.’

33They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham. We have never been anyone's slaves. But you say that we will become free. What do you mean?’

34Jesus answered them, ‘I tell you this: Everyone who does wrong things is a slave to sin.

35A slave does not belong to a family for ever. But a son does belong to a family for ever.

36So, if the Son makes you free, you will really be free.

37I know that you belong to Abraham's family. But you are looking for a way to kill me. That is because you have no place in yourselves for my words.

38I speak about the things that my Father has shown me. You do the things that you have heard from your father.’